Unplanned Exits, Creative Solutions

The news that 11 dancers will be let go from the New York City Ballet roster recalls other times of financial plight: Balanchine left stranded in England upon Diaghilev's death; his paying the hotel and hospital bill for his wife, a polio victim, by giving the Danes his "Serenade" ballet to perform at any time; Martha Graham giving her "girls" bread and cheese to see them through rehearsals; Charles Weidman paying the rent and light bills by holding weekly performances of satire in his 16th Street studio; etc. They were creative people coming up with a creative solution.

Two NYCB dancers, a dentist and a union rep (Dube) created Pach, the Performing Arts Center for Health, in 1985, which became, through the creativity of Alex Dube, who had once worked for Sol Hurok (nothing like learning from a famous impressario) a viable entity. Dube now heads Career Transition for Dancers. He runs an exciting, yearly fund raiser for dancers in transition. With centers in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, Dube's creative solution began when he found Caroline & Theodore Newhouse to fund his flegling idea. CT has helped over 41,000 dancers since 1985, through seminars, re-training and aptitude tests to find new careers at no cost to them.

This year's fundraiser takes place Monday, November 2 at 7:00 pm at City Center. It will be a hot ticket and their 24th anniversary jubilee. The program celebrates dance in all its forms and will be directed this year by Ann Marie DeAngelo with performers from Ballet de Monterey; dancers in Fosse's "Dancin;" Crazy Legs & Rock Steady Crew; Lori Belilove & The Isadora Duncan Dance Company; Miami City Ballet members; Tap City Youth Ensemble; "So You Think You Can Dance;" a Tribute to Duke Ellington and many, many more artists and companies.

Tickets include performance and a post-performance "Anniversary Supper With the Stars," live auction and dancing in the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Hotel. Tables and group sales are available. CT's phone is 212-764-0172. Now, more than ever, it is important to support dance transitions.